Pilot Project for Ferry Service to the Portlands Area

(Ward 24 - Downtown, Ward 25 - Don River)

The Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (March 19, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

This report outlines a proposal for a pilot project to provide limited Ferry Service to the western Portlands area this summer.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Status:

If this pilot project is to proceed, funding in the amount of $80,000 will be required. It is suggested that this be funded on a partnership basis with no impact on the 1999 operating budget.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)Committee and Council endorse a pilot project to provide limited Ferry service to the western Portlands area this summer, on condition that partnership funding can be secured to provide temporary docking and required infrastructure on a no cost basis to the Department;

(2)staff work in conjunction with the Toronto Harbour Commission, the Toronto Island Community and other partner groups, to develop this pilot project and explore cost sharing opportunities;

(3)the results of the pilot project be reported to the Economic Development Committee by December 1999; and

(4)appropriate City staff be authorized to give effect thereto.

Background:

The Toronto Island Ferry Service currently operates five ferries that provide year round service to the Toronto Islands for both Island residents and Park users. The Service operates from the Ferry Terminal at 9 Queens Quay. On peak summer weekends, especially during major events, there are occasions when the mainland ferry terminal becomes overcrowded and we have been examining alternatives to address this issue.

An investigation was conducted to determine the feasibility of providing ferry service to the western Portlands area near the ship channel to alleviate crowding at the main dock during special events and holiday weekends.

This also may respond to a demand for service to and from the Portlands area, and provide relief from limited parking and congestion at the Queens Quay Ferry Terminal. This service may also provide improved access to the emerging parklands and greenspace that is located within the Portlands area.

Currently, 37% of the Ferry passenger traffic arrives at the Queens Quay Ferry Docks by private vehicle, with the balance via TTC, GO Transit, bicycles or on foot. This is based on specific ridership data from 1996. The TTC service to the Portlands area is very limited and currently only runs until 6 p.m. Therefore, it is likely that the majority of patrons who use this alternative will be those who arrive by car.

We have investigated the cost of a permanent docking facility which could be built in the Portlands area with a projected cost of $425,000 to $475,000. Cost sharing with the Toronto Harbour Commission would have to be investigated and they would have to approve the plans and supervise the installation. Transport Canada would also have to approve the installations.

In examining options for a pilot of this service, we have identified costs of $ 80,000. This includes a temporary docking facility at a cost of approximately $50,000, and other facility and temporary infrastructure costs of $ 30,000, to allow pilot testing of a new ferry route. This could involve hourly service, on weekends only, to the Portlands as a part of the "Belt-line" route that currently services the Wards, Centre and Hanlan's Point locations. Any other scenario on a pilot basis would remove capacity and hence reduce service to the main island park areas and would not be acceptable.

We cannot accommodate the cost of the temporary facility and the other infrastructure required to conduct this pilot within our 1999 budget without significant cost sharing. If a pilot is approved, then a funding source for the $80,000 must be found outside of the Department.

The Department is recommending that we consider a pilot this summer providing that a suitable funding source can be identified which is estimated at $ 80,000. If funding cannot be secured prior to the summer, then our staff will conduct additional surveying this summer at the Queens Quay Ferry docks to determine demand and the feasibility of an undertaking on a more permanent basis. This would also allow additional time to work with the Harbour Commission on the infrastructure requirements.

Conclusions:

If funding could be secured, then I would recommend that we undertake a pilot of Ferry Service to the western Portlands area. This must be done on a no cost basis to the City and may alleviate overcrowding at the mainland terminal, as well as improve linkages to the greenspace located in the Portlands area. Given the time constraints, if all the approvals, funding and infrastructure cannot be realized this summer, then further study and work should be completed to allow a future pilot of this project.

Contact Name:

John A. Macintyre

Director of Parks & Recreation

Central Services and the Waterfront

Tel: 397-4451